10 Best Wonder Woman Costumes in History, Ranked

Wonder Woman, DC’s resident Amazonian hero, is as stylish as she is compassionate. Wonder Woman’s star-spangled costume has become as Americana as Superman and apple pie, symbolizing justice, truth, power, and equality. Though her origins and narrative focus have changed over the years, DC Comics has stuck true to her patriotic design, only deviating on rare occasions. Even when taking a break from the familiar, Wonder Woman’s costumes are iconic.

It’s hard to pick the best Wonder Woman costume, but there’s no denying some have earned their place in comic book history. Whether through design, historical context, the stories in which they are based, or just how cool they still look to this day, these are the best Wonder Woman costume designs in DC Comics history.

10 DC’s Bombshell Wonder Woman

DC’s Bombshells (2014) by Marguerite Sauvage, Ant Lucia, and Wes Abbott

DC’s Bombshells is one of DC’s most memorable and ambitious comic book runs from the 2010s. A well-loved look into an alternate canon where female superheroes defend the homefront during World War II, it’s easy to forget that an entire years-spanning comic line comes from a series of statuettes. Bombshells originates a multitude of memorable costumes, and Wonder Woman’s is a darling look into fashion of the 1940s, with a story that honors her wartime roots.

The sailor shorts are a fun touch, with white buttons that remind the reader of her traditional stars. The white collar and cuffs on a red shirt give contrast, making the design more dynamic. Diana looks good in just about any costume you put her in, but there’s something about the casual, real-world design that is both flattering and humanizing. From the bandana bow to the chunky belt, a vintage fashion aficionado could pull this off in public without raising many eyebrows. Diana looks relaxed yet ready to fight, sexy without exploitation. It makes Wonder Woman more accessible, even relatable.

9 Wonder Woman’s Golden Age Costume

Sensation Comics (1942) by Charles Moulton and Harry G Peter

By modern standards, the original Wonder Woman costume of the WWII era doesn’t quite convey the look of a warrior. More along the lines of a showgirl or a Fourth of July summer playsuit, the culotte shorts and bustier make this costume positively quaint. The idea of a super heroine was novel in the early 1940s, as female characters were treated more as props than heroes. Enter Wonder Woman in her star-spangled, patriotic costume: a symbol of justice, peace, and truth, Wonder Woman would become a hit, and her iconography would be ingrained into American culture.

Of course, Wonder Woman does not need battle armor to convey her strength. While a battle-ready look is always welcomed, sometimes it’s nice to look back on how comics used to be, and how the costumes reflect the times in which they are set. Diana Prince is just as powerful and inspiring in shorts as she is in a leather, Grecian battle skirt. Wonder Woman showed girls and women of the 1940s that they were strong, powerful, and capable of saving the day – even in a pair of flowy shorts.

8 Wonder Woman’s Controversial 1960s Redesign

Wonder Woman #178–204 (1968–1972) by Denny O’Neil and Mike Sekowsky

Wonder Woman’s dabble in late ’60s mod fashion may not be the most loved comic run of all time, but the switch in costuming and drastic changes to the Wonder Woman formula is memorable, and worthy of more modern study. Stripping Diana of her powers, the comics took a turn to espionage and kung-fu; an interesting premise that could have explored the implications of Diana losing her powers and having to adapt. But the story and costume switch caused outrage at the time from both feminist critics and fans, who found the change borderline offensive.

These days, the average reader is more informed (and experienced) than ever when it comes to headline-grabbing reboots. Wonder Woman had been around for close to three decades as of 1968, and sales were beginning to slip into the red. While change can be good in comics, even short-lived costume changes or provocative comic storylines aren’t the kind of affront they used to be. Through a modern lens, even this design is looked back on with cheesy fondness, appearing in official art, and even being praised by current WW writer Tom King.

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7 Wonder Woman’s Burlesque Elseworld Outfit

Wonder Woman: Amazonia (1997) by William Messner-Loebs, Phil Winslade, and Patricia Mulvihill

Elseworlds is a long-running imprint of DC Comics, dating back to 1989. Giving writers the ability to explore stories beyond the canon DC Universe, Elseworlds has gone on to publish many stories that spotlight DC’s characters in fables that would otherwise never get told. Wonder Woman: Amazonia is one of those, shifting the time in which Wonder Woman arrives in Man’s World in the Victorian Era. Set in London, Amazonia changes so much of Diana Prince’s story that it might as well be a completely new mythos.

While not as acclaimed as other Wonder Woman tales, the costume is straight from Victorian burlesque performances, standing out as a historically accurate spin on the character’s costume that fits within the plot and backstory of Amazonia. It might not be the best take on Wonder Woman’s origins, but the costume has gone on to be well-remembered as a fun look into an alternate, steampunk universe along the lines of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight.

6 Wonder Woman’s New 52 Redesign

Wonder Woman (2011) by Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, and Tony Adkins

It feels criminal to put this costume so low on the list, yet it just doesn’t have enough iconic detailing for it to stand above the rest. Wonder Woman‘s New 52 costume is a simplistic return to form that is almost too simple. It’s the classic bustier and shorts combo with silver accents (a change from the traditional gold), a color palette that is classy and modern, avoiding garishness like other Wonder Woman costumes may be prone to. However, there isn’t much here that sticks out. It is neither fun camp, nor modern tactility. It’s a classic, easy on the eyes, and recognizable Wonder Woman costume, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The costume is important in conveying the story, from tone to setting. A hard reboot of Wonder Woman’s story, The New 52 starts out as a sexy, dark, and modernized take on the tale of Princess Diana of Themyscira, and a switch from gold to silver is a small change that goes a long way and gives this costume something to remember it by. The story has a devoted fanbase, so it’s only right that one unique costume should signify the run, as well.

5 Wonder Woman’s ‘Absolute Power’ Tactical Overhaul

Absolute Power (2024) by Mark Waid, Dan Mora, and Alejandro Sánchez

DC’s Absolute Power crossover event reminds the world that Amanda Waller is always capable of being a singularly terrifying villain. Powerless and with the public against them due to an AI-generated smear campaign, DC’s heroes find themselves in a dangerous situation, and it didn’t take long for fans to start wondering what would require Wonder Woman to don a heavily armored battlesuit in future issues.

Diana is geared up from the neck down in a suit that doesn’t scream Wonder Woman, but still gets points for practicality in battle. She looks like the warrior she is, but if the armor was placed on a different character, it may not be read as a Wonder Woman costume at all. It’s always exciting to see Diana Prince ready for battle, and a little exploration into alternative character designs is never a bad thing. Absolute Power’s Wonder Woman is bound to be a powerful beacon of justice in a chaotic world.

4 The Red Son Soviet Wonder Woman

Superman: Red Son (2003) by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson, Andrew Robinson, Walden Wong, Killian Plunkett, Ken Lopez, and Paul Mounts

This is such a good one, though it’s another stark alternate take. Superman: Red Son may be one of the most influential Elseworlds comics when it comes to the impact on DC Comics and related media. Nominated for an Eisner, the three-issue prestige run is a simple flip on the Superman story. Kal-El crashes in the Soviet Union instead of a farm in Kansas, and grows up to become a state-sponsored superhero fighting for the USSR. Various other major players in DC Comics make their appearances, including a Soviet-style Wonder Woman.

Red and black is a golden combo, and the stars on the skirt are a throwback touch that compliments the costume without being distracting. It speaks to the setting of the story without being overwhelming and on the nose. It’s classy, it’s quirky, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. All the original components of her Golden Age costume are there, harkening to the time period in which Red Son is based.

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3 George Pérez Defines The Modern Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman (1986) by George Pérez, Greg Potter, and Bruce D. Patterson

When people hear the title Wonder Woman, they’re probably thinking of the excellent work done by the late legend George Pérez. Pérez defined Wonder Woman for 20 years, revitalizing her backstory and fully exploring her face-off with Ares. With art done in that signature Pérez style and a familiar costume design that is timeless and iconic, Wonder Woman looks sexy, strong, and powerful. She also looks so happy on many of the covers, cementing the pop culture image of a Wonder Woman that represents hope and justice, peace, and feminine strength.

It’s a classic look that doesn’t deviate too far from the preceding Wonder Woman costumes. The star-spangled trunks are there, as is the waist-defining belt and double W emblem that replaced the traditional eagle, taking Wonder Woman beyond her 1940s image of American patriotism while still calling back to a bygone time. She is her own character, and this marks a shift towards a heavier focus on her Greek mythology roots. George Pérez’s impact on Wonder Woman will never be forgotten.

2 Wonder Woman’s Golden Kingdom Come Armor

Kingdom Come (1996) by Mark Waid, Alex Ross, and Todd Klein

Readers know things are about to spiral in the DC Universe when Wonder Woman wears her golden eagle armor. A representation of a side of her that isn’t afraid of battle, it can be interpreted that the golden eagle armor is the other side of her traditional costume. The bustier and shorts represent justice, and peace, while the armor represents war, conflict, and doing what needs to be done. Though Wonder Woman comes around to Superman’s side in Kingdom Come, her armor is a symbolic piece of DC history and reappears in various other issues when the stakes are raised.

It’s the perfect marriage of American patriotism and her Grecian roots. She looks like a gladiator going into battle. The American flag around her shoulders is a touch that reminds readers that this is still Diana. The same Diana who fought the Nazis and the gods. The one who stands up for justice and equality. Her sword can slice atoms, and she isn’t afraid to use it. Kingdom Come puts Wonder Woman in the role of a battle-ready fighter, though her quest and values of peace prevail in the end. It’s always exciting to see the armor.

1 Wonder Woman’s Warrior Look is Reborn in Rebirth

Wonder Woman (2016) by Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp, and Nicola Scott

This is Wonder Woman. Diana Prince. Princess of Themyscira. Warrior of peace and justice. A beacon of equality and the strength of women. No other costume channels the modern iteration of Wonder Woman quite like Rebirth. It’s modern and sleek without being boring. It’s recognizable yet new. It honors her Greek roots while still holding onto that classic red, blue, and gold. The stars on the pleated skirt come across as natural additions, not tacky in the slightest.

The inclusion of the skirt keeps her covered without drifting from her traditional look. The bustier calls back to the New 52 design while giving it a flow to the detailing that draws the eye. It is effortlessly flattering without being unrealistic. A superhero could fight in this without sacrificing what makes them unique, and Wonder Woman’s costume does exactly that. Not militaristic, not unrealistically designed for sex appeal, not campy (though there is no animosity towards those designs, as they have their place), and updated for the modern era. It’s rooted enough in realism without coming across as pointlessly edgy. It truly is the perfect Wonder Woman costume.

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is the superhero identity of Diana, Princess of the Amazons. Created on the island of Themyscira, Wonder Woman is a super-powered demi-goddess with extreme physical strength who utilizes magical gifts (like her famous Lasso of Truth) to defeat her foes. As mighty as her fellow heroes Superman and the Justice League, Wonder Woman is unmatched in her compassion and virtue.

Alias

Diana Prince

Created By

William Moulton Marston , H. G. Peter

First Appearance

All Star Comics